With the new year, people’s thoughts turn to fitness as they reflect on all the turkey, pumpkin pie, Christmas cookies and eggnog they have sucked down since the holiday season began in November.

Time for a fresh beginning. Time for a new lifestyle. A new you.

But – you may be thinking – where do I begin?

Unlike most of us who are willing to rest on our laurels (or other body parts that fit quite nicely in a recliner in front of the TV), the fitness world continues to change to make sure we are constantly getting the most out of our workout routine. There is always something new.

The American Council on Exercise released its top 10 fitness trends for 2011 based on its annual survey of health and fitness experts. The trends match what many local health and fitness experts see happening in the area.

Here are some of those trends:

Small groups

Group fitness training classes, such as yoga and Pilates, have been successful at Spiece Fitness in Fort Wayne, says Anne Davis, executive director.

There has been an increase in people taking the classes, and she believes that when people use the buddy system, “You feel more accountable,” she says.

Nicole Liddell, director of mission advancement for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, says statistically people are more successful in their health goals when they have an accountability partner. That is especially true for people such as single parents or seniors.

“We are definitely seeing strength in numbers,” she says.

One of those classes is Zumba – a dance-inspired cardio exercise program.

Brian West, senior program director for the Jorgensen YMCA, says there has been a demand for Zumba. In the past year, Jorgensen added a Zumba Gold, which is designed for beginners and older members, and is planning to add a Zumbatonic, a class for kids.

Most popular

American Council on Exercise predicts boot camp-style workouts will remain popular, as well as interval training.

West says the Jorgensen Y offers FIT, or Fitness Intensity Training, that offers a mix of exercises to boost the workout.

Another popular workout that is gaining favor in Fort Wayne is CrossFit, which is helping to resurrect weightlifting in the United States.

Andrew Walsh, owner of CrossFit Fort Wayne, at 829 Lawrence Drive off Illinois Road, describes the workout as strength and conditioning using both functional and compound moves that are conducive to everyday life. A workout could include squats, climbing ropes, jumping ropes or Olympic lifting, he says. Many of those exercises relate to everyday activities such as lifting groceries, sitting down or lifting children or other heavy things.

It’s a high-intensity workout, but it is effective, Walsh says. And anyone can do it – not just men. A workout program is designed for each person.

“You could have Arnold Schwarzenegger working out with Grandma,” Walsh says.

He currently has a 55-year-old woman doing CrossFit, as well as a man who just recently had hip replacement.

Walsh says CrossFit Fort Wayne opened in August and was able to meet the needs of a number of CrossFit followers who were doing it in their garages.

Stress reduction

Because the YMCA focuses on the spirit, mind and body, Liddell says people are not just thinking about working out, but “they think about overall healthy, lifestyle choices.”

Members also have been asking for things not workout related but still amount to fitness peace, Liddell says. One of those things is financial planning, and the YMCA recently offered a class in response.

The Y also tries to help families who may be short on time and are struggling with how to connect with each other, Liddell says. She says the YMCA offers sports, video games and other activities that families can do together.

Technology

America on the Move in Fort Wayne has joined with Fort4Fitness to offer an initiative called “4 Your Health.”

Through the website, www.fort4fitness.org/4yourhealth.asp, the two groups are promoting year-round community wellness for northeast Indiana residents by offering a community calendar of events, health tip sheets – including winter and indoor exercises – and links to health websites, says Marsha Worthington, Fort Wayne coordinator for America on the Move.

It’s all in the hopes that residents will increase or maintain their level of physical activity and improve their eating habits, Worthington says.

Worthington says she is seeing more people being realistic about the amount of time they exercise. Even if they don’t have 30 minutes to exercise, they will still exercise for 10 or 15 minutes, or however much time they do have.

She says it starts with the small changes.

“It may not be fun; (it) may not be sexy, … but it works,” she says.

trich@jg.net